Sun News Digest

SUN NEWS DIGEST

December 31, 2005

BUSINESS

-DOW- 67.32

10,717.50

-NASDAQ- 12.84

2,205.32

-S&P- 6.13

1,248.29

-SUN INDEX- 1.34

326.14NATIONAL

Justice Department probes leak

The Justice Department said yesterday that it is investigating the source of a leak of classified information about President Bush's top-secret domestic spying program, signaling a probe reaching into the highest echelons of government. pg 1a

Indications of plea by Abramoff

Lawyers met with a federal judge yesterday to discuss a wire fraud case against once-powerful lobbyist Jack Abramoff amid indications that a plea agreement could be reached next week in two federal investigations. pg 3a

WORLD

Fuel crisis worsens in Iraq

A fuel crisis in Iraq worsened yesterday after the oil minister was suspended for objecting to steep government-imposed price increases for gasoline and cooking oil. Lines formed at gas stations. pg 1a

Palestinians storm border post

Palestinian police officers angry over the killing of a colleague in an armed clash with local Palestinian clan stormed a Palestinian-administered border crossing into Egypt yesterday, firing into the air and forcing European monitors to flee. pg 8a

MARYLAND

MTA looks at bus-plan changes

The Maryland Transit Administration is considering several bus-schedule changes in February - a recognition that the new bus route plan that it implemented in October has problems. pg 1b

2 ex-administrators sue BCCC

Two former Baltimore City Community College administrators have sued the school for wrongful termination, contending they were fired after raising concerns about a lack of oversight of grants. pg 1b

TODAY

Last-minute New Year's Eve idea

Even if you've procrastinated yourself into a corner, it's not too late to pull together an impromptu New Year's Eve party that family, friends and kids -at least those without other plans - can enjoy. pg 1d

SPORTS

Browns deny Savage rumor

Cleveland Browns president John Collins denied that the team was planning to fire general manager Phil Savage, the former Ravens personnel director who was hired less than a year ago. ESPN.com reported earlier that Savage was on the verge of being fired over "philosophical differences." pg 6c

Jobs cuts at U.S. Foodservice

Royal Ahold N.V., the owner of Columbia-based U.S. Foodservice, said it is eliminating about 700 jobs at the unit as part of a nationwide restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs by $100 million. pg 9c

Big Brother's everywhere these days, guarding against a potential terrorist attack, making Baltimore's streets safer and listening and watching in ways that could hardly have been imagined a generation ago.

in Ideas

What's up in new year

A sampling of Marylanders share plans for 2006.

In Modern Life

Wednesday

Preparing pasta at home

Making homemade pasta is like making homemade bread: totally worth it.

In Taste

online

today

MARYLAND POLITICS

Check out archived stories, polls and other coverage of state politics.

baltimoresun.com/politics

WEATHER WATCH

Get up-to-the-minute forecast, along with the latest feeds from Frank Roylance's weather blog.